LRP1 encodes a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family of proteins. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed by furin to generate 515 kDa and 85 kDa subunits that form the mature receptor. Proper folding and trafficking of LRP1 is facilitated by the receptor-associated protein (RAP), a molecular chaperone. The uptake of all known ligands through LRP1 can be blocked by RAP, which induces a conformational change in the receptor that renders it unable to bind ligands. LRP1, which is expressed in brain, liver and lung, is also implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as the human LRP gene localizes to a potential AD locus on chromosome 12.
